The Trump administration plans to revoke the non-immigrant visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States, according to State Department documents cited by the Associated Press.
The State Department will specifically target holders of B1 and B2 visas—issued for business and tourism—granted between 2016 and 2026, marking the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history. The move follows the revocation of more than 175,000 foreign citizens' visas under the administration earlier this month, according to a State Department statement.
Most individuals with pending asylum cases would not face immediate deportation but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers. A State Department spokesperson said the agency is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke visas of foreigners who entered the U.S. as short-term visitors but later applied for asylum to remain permanently.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated on X that the immigration system has been overwhelmed by unfounded asylum applications. The broader immigration crackdown includes visa and green card revocations, an aggressive deportation campaign, and increased barriers to legal immigration, such as new fees for certain work visa applicants.
Human rights groups have criticized the policy, arguing it violates freedom of speech and due process rights and creates an unsafe environment, particularly for ethnic minorities facing racial profiling.
